Isles’ MSP condemns Tory fishing ‘sell out’

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan, has condemned the UK Government’s “sell out of Scotland’s fishing industry”.

The draft terms of the Brexit transition deal show the UK government has agreed to abide by Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) rules for the whole of the transition, which ends in December 2020.

Alasdair Allan said: “The Scottish Conservatives’ leader had claimed that ‘Britain will leave the CFP as of March 2019.’ We know now that this was simply conjecture, and this news gives the lie to her claim that her MPs ‘have the ear of government.’

“Now we know not only will the UK have to abide by CFP rules during the transition period, it will lose the voting rights it has now.

“It is certain that leaving the European Union will bring about considerable disadvantages, and it is absolutely critical for our islands produce and trade that we remain in the single-market.

“However, the one possible claimed advantage of Brexit was that our islander fishermen would no longer be restricted by the CFP.

“This transition deal however delivers nothing for our island fishermen. It is shameful that at this stage of negotiations, the Tories have sold out the fishing communities.”

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron also highlighted his concerns about the deal: “The Scottish Conservatives are bitterly disappointed at the news that we will need to wait one more year before we regain control over our fishing waters.

“Ruth Davidson MSP has been in direct contact with fishing industry leaders over this, and we have stated very clearly that we will not support a final Brexit deal which does not guarantee full control of our fishing territories.”

However the Tory List politician added: “It is hypocritical for Alasdair Allan to jump on the Hard Brexit bandwagon, given his party want Scotland to remain in the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy, and hand more powers straight back to Brussels.

“The SNP will happily disregard Scotland’s fishermen if it means an independent Scotland can stay in the EU. That is not only unacceptable but shows complete disregard for the democratic decision taken by the UK to exit the EU.”